Geneva, April 22. Two days after Ahmadinejad’s speech at the UN. Hundreds gather at the Place des Nations, facing the main UN building, and rally for Israel. Many of us don pro-Israel t-shirts, sponsored by the Jewish Empowerment Fund. Some hold posters. Others sport red rubber noses, in homage to the students who heckled the Iranian president on Monday.
Natan Sharansky delivers the opening address to the crowd. He evokes the literary reference – and all too real – Orwellian double speak he witnessed in the Soviet Union. Call it a conference against racism, and have the keynote address delivered by one who expressly discriminates against Sunnis, Christians, homosexuals, Dervishes – to name a few. Double speak, double think, as Sharansky said.
“J’accuse!” thundered David Harris, AJC executive director and coordinator of the rally, pointing a finger at the UN, accusing them of inaction on Darfur and the genocide taking place there.
I am proud and honored that I participated, standing with others, united for Israel. All of us participating in the alternate program of events throughout the week in Geneva – especially the vocal, active and passionate contingent of European students – ensured that the anti-Semitism and hate of Durban I did not repeat itself. As David Harris declared, proudly and loudly: “We reclaimed the streets!”
For more information on the AJC’s activities in Geneva, visit the website of their outpost, UN Watch.
